President Cyril Ramaphosa has directed police to prioritise investigations into the murders of six women in Ekurhuleni.
Police initially reported the discovery of four women’s bodies in the area over about two months. Two more bodies were found in different parts of Ekurhuleni on Monday and Tuesday.
Ramaphosa said law enforcement agencies were working urgently to establish whether the cases were linked, protect communities and bring those responsible to justice.
He said he had been briefed by Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia and Acting National Police Commissioner on the investigations, and had instructed police to leave no stone unturned.
One of the victims has been identified as 38-year-old Elizabeth “Tsontso” Moselakgomo, whose disappearance over the weekend drew widespread attention. Her family positively identified her body on Monday.
Ramaphosa expressed his condolences to the victims’ families, saying the killings had caused fear and uncertainty, particularly among women in the affected communities.
He urged anyone with information about the murders, or anyone looking for a missing relative or friend, to contact Warrant Officer Elvis Manyike on 082 465 7249.
Cachalia has also expressed concern over the killings, saying the discovery of multiple murdered women in the Kempton Park area was deeply disturbing.
He said investigators would need to establish whether the cases were connected, while warning that the possibility of women being deliberately targeted required urgent attention.
The South African Police Service has vowed to apprehend those responsible.
Police initially reported the discovery of four women’s bodies in the area over about two months. Two more bodies were found in different parts of Ekurhuleni on Monday and Tuesday.
Ramaphosa said law enforcement agencies were working urgently to establish whether the cases were linked, protect communities and bring those responsible to justice.
He said he had been briefed by Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia and Acting National Police Commissioner on the investigations, and had instructed police to leave no stone unturned.
One of the victims has been identified as 38-year-old Elizabeth “Tsontso” Moselakgomo, whose disappearance over the weekend drew widespread attention. Her family positively identified her body on Monday.
Ramaphosa expressed his condolences to the victims’ families, saying the killings had caused fear and uncertainty, particularly among women in the affected communities.
He urged anyone with information about the murders, or anyone looking for a missing relative or friend, to contact Warrant Officer Elvis Manyike on 082 465 7249.
Cachalia has also expressed concern over the killings, saying the discovery of multiple murdered women in the Kempton Park area was deeply disturbing.
He said investigators would need to establish whether the cases were connected, while warning that the possibility of women being deliberately targeted required urgent attention.
The South African Police Service has vowed to apprehend those responsible.
